Lyn Hopson and Lesley Hurworth - Local Book Award: A Match Made in Heaven

From the SLA 2009 Weekend Course. How to set up a local book award, including how to form partnerships with public libraries, schools' library services, extended schools, local education authorities, museums and the private sector to create a reading community.

Transcript of "Lyn Hopson and Lesley Hurworth - Local Book Award: A Match Made in Heaven"

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How It All Began <ul><li>The award was first launched in November 2004 </li></ul><ul><li>It was, and remains, a collaborative project between Doncaster School Librarians and the Doncaster Public Library Service. </li></ul><ul><li>15 secondary schools took part in its first year, this number has now grown tremendously, with 68 schools in total currently taking part. </li></ul><ul><li>Below is a picture of the student who designed the winning logo </li></ul>

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Doncaster Book Award – Aims and Objectives <ul><li>To promote reading and extend reading choices </li></ul><ul><li>To give our young people an award scheme which was both local, and put the readers in control </li></ul><ul><li>To raise the profile of literacy and libraries in Doncaster </li></ul><ul><li>To promote social interaction and debate amongst young people from all over the Doncaster area, and help create a feeling of community </li></ul>

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Working in Partnership <ul><li>The public library contribution to the scheme is three-fold; </li></ul><ul><li>Most importantly, they provide access to their borrowing statistics which enables us to obtain out long-list titles. </li></ul><ul><li>We are also able to hold events in public libraries, particularly useful for holiday events and workshops. </li></ul><ul><li>Children’s librarian, Chris Fitt has, from the second year of the DBA, gone into primary schools for her ‘Gallop through the long-list’ sessions to enthuse the younger students. This role will now be extended with the involvement of the new Reader Development Team. </li></ul>

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Further Partnership Opportunities <ul><li>Firstly, and most obviously, the DBA has given Doncaster secondary schools excellent opportunities for collaborative working and sharing of resources </li></ul><ul><li>Secondly, it has proved invaluable in terms of transition, allowing secondary schools to build excellent links with their local primaries. </li></ul><ul><li>Finally, as the award scheme expanded we have been able to work in partnership with Doncaster College, with a local Museum, Cusworth Hall, with our LEA, with Extended Schools and with Waterstone’s Bookshop </li></ul>

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Author Visits and Talks <ul><li>Author visits. DBA funding has enabled us to attract many big- name children’s writers to Doncaster, e.g. Darren Shan, Celia Rees, Robert Muchamore, Alan Gibbons, Narinder Dhami, Michael Lawrence – the list goes on!. </li></ul><ul><li>All were enthusiastic about the DBA and similar schemes, and some were truly inspirational! </li></ul>

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Mixing with famous authors <ul><li>Famous horror writer Darren Shan signing autographs at this year’s launch. </li></ul><ul><li>Derek Landy signs a book for Sally, our Treasurer, during his visit in November </li></ul>

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Other Activities <ul><li>Special events in school holidays, for example a ‘Dragonology’ workshop, Christmas parties, and a ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ themed day. T hese events ensure continuity, and promote the idea that reading is not just something done in school. Parents are also encouraged to attend, and to see what fun can be got from books! </li></ul><ul><li>Lesley’s brilliant and ever-popular ‘Murder in the Library’ </li></ul><ul><li>Cinema trips (For example, Joint schools visit to ‘The Golden Compass’) </li></ul><ul><li>Museum trips (For example a visit to Seven Stories in Newcastle in December 08) </li></ul>

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Positive Local Publicity <ul><li>The main events of the Doncaster Book Award have been extensively covered in the local press and radio. This raises self esteem among the students involved, as they can see they are being taken seriously, and also creates positive images of our young people for the Doncaster public. </li></ul><ul><li>Doncaster Rovers Football Club have, for the past three years published student reviews in their match programmes. This links football and sport, and gives ‘Street Cred’ to the scheme, especially amongst boys. </li></ul>

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Positive publicity beyond Doncaster <ul><li>The Doncaster Book Award has featured in several magazines, including ‘TBK’, ‘The School Librarian’, ‘Up-date’, and even the TES. This helps create a positive image of our young people </li></ul><ul><li>Other boroughs, including two in London, have contacted the committee. They have now adapted our framework to set up award schemes of their own. </li></ul>

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And Finally …. <ul><li>The DBA has been really successful in achieving its original aims, and brought benefits we never could have anticipated. </li></ul><ul><li>From small beginnings, it has grown into something we are really proud of. </li></ul><ul><li>So…..why not have a go at setting one up yourselves – and have fun! </li></ul>

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Contact Details <ul><li>Contact details for myself and other Committee members can be found on our website, www.doncasterbookaward.net </li></ul><ul><li>Please do not hesitate to ring with any queries, we’d be happy to talk to you! </li></ul><ul><li>Lesley Hurworth, Chair, DBA </li></ul><ul><li>Lyn Hopson, Secretary DBA </li></ul>